Anti-Austerity Alliance launches as new party

A new political party, the Anti-Austerity Alliance, is being officially launched today.

It was set up as a result of campaigns against property taxes and water charges. So far, 40 candidates have declared for the Alliance in May's local elections.

"One of the key issues we will be highlighting and taking up is the new water charge," said Socialist Party Councillor Ruth Coppinger, who is involved in the Anti-Austerity Alliance,

"The Government is claiming continually that there's been a recovery. Well, if there has been a recovery, why are they implementing more austerity in a water charge which we know will be in the order of €500?"

"The triple-A, as we call [the party], will be making this a key issue in the elections."